Australia in many ways epitomises freedom and attitude in the New World. Producing every style of wine imaginable from innumerable grape varieties - the most famous being Shiraz - innovation and experimentation have been the hallmarks of this great wine producing nation for decades. Indeed, Australian wine often hits a sweet spot in the relationship between price and quality, and as such is extremely popular in export markets. This led to overproduction and oversupply in the 1980s and 1990s as big brands began to dominate the industry, eventually damaging the reputation that early producers had worked so hard to promote. Nowadays we are witnessing a dazzling return to form, with ever more artisan and terroir-focused producers crafting wonderfully expressive and appealing wines, as they seek to demonstrate that Australia is a worthy contender.

With some of the oldest plantings of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre in Australia the Barossa Valley is perhaps the most famous wine region in Australia. The warm valley floor and scarcity of water, coupled with incredibly old, dry farmed vines produces some of Australias most powerful reds.

Clare Valley is famed for its hilly topography and cooler temperatures. The best sites are of high elevation and protected from the full strength of the sun's rays. In fact, it is the combination of exposure and altitude that helps to retain freshness in the region's wines, alongside a wide diurnal range. Australia's best examples of Riesling often hail from the Clare Valley.

Western Australia's most important wine growing region. The cooling influence of the Indian Ocean gives producers like Voyager Estate the ability to produce Cabernet Merlots, Sauvignon Blanc Semillons and Chardonnays of considerable elegance, that with age become more than a little old world in style.

The Island of Tasmania sitting off the south of Australia is home to numerous terroirs and climats. The most success found thus far, in a region that is yet to fully unlock its true potential, comes from plantings of Pinot Noir. Apsley Gorge exploit their land near the Douglas Apsley National park to great effect making one of Australias most exciting Pinot Noirs.

Victoria is generally cooler than neighbouring South Australia. With the exception of the more inland Rutherglen, perhaps the Victoria's most famous wine, all the other regions have a distinctly maritime feel. The most significant wine regions within Victoria are Rutherglen, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Geelong. All styles of wine are produced here, from fortfied wines to crisp, zippy whites, and everything in between.

Western Australia represents perhaps the most exciting "new" winegrowing region in Australia. The cooling influence of the Indian Ocean, coupled with some truly exceptional winemaking talent sees advances in quality year on year, and wines of real character and drinkability being produced.

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Tax Status Explained

IB stands for In Bond. Wines that are stored In Bond have not had UK Duty and VAT paid on them.

Most of our wines are available for purchase under bond, as fine wines often need to be laid down in order to allow them to mature. Many clients choose therefore to store them in our bonded warehouse and pay the tax as and when they wish to get the wines delivered. Please note that Wines purchased In Bond can be exported to non-EU countries without the need for Duty and VAT to be paid.

DP stands for duty paid. If you wish to get wines delivered for drinking, the duty and VAT will need to be paid as it leaves its bonded state in the warehouse. The wine is then said to be duty paid.

All taxes must be paid in order for us to be authorised to ship or deliver wine (unless the wine is bonded and being moved to another bonded warehouse or being shipped directly outside of the EU.)

EP stands for En Primeur. These wines are currently held with the Estate and Domaine’s we work with and will be shipped in due course.